By: Ciptanti Putri and Natalia T. Agnika

Earth Hour has indeed become a movement supported by many parties. Starting from individuals with various age and professional backgrounds, corporations, to communities contribute in support of the energy awareness movement. This can be seen through the presence of 7 students from grades 3 to 4 of SD Tunas Muda Kedoya, West Jakarta, in the Earth Hour Indonesia 2015 press conference which took place on Thursday (26/03) at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta.

In his opening remarks, Nyoman Iswarayoga, Director of Communication and Advocacy of WWF-Indonesia, mentioned that the presence of 7 students of SD Tunas Muda to deliver a pledge and a message of concern for the environment. "Earth Hour Indonesia is entering its seventh year. In collaboration with IndoRunners Community and Earth Hour Indonesia City Community, we conducted a fundraising activity titled '7 Regions, 7 K, 7 Causes'. In the activity that takes place at 20.30-21.30 local time, IndoRunners will run in at least 7 regions in Indonesia with a distance of 7 kilometers, and voice 7 conservation programs to be supported by the wider community." Nyoman stated that the success of the Earth Hour movement in Indonesia is the result of the collaboration of various parties, including the media crew who always support by disseminating information to a wide audience.

The students of SD Tunas Muda Kedoya, who came since morning, were then asked to come forward to the press conference audience to make a pledge and message of environmental awareness. Some promised not to litter, others left a message that the sea should be protected from pollution and damage. Not just promises and messages, they have taken real action at school, recycling used goods into useful items. They then sell these items and donate the proceeds to nature conservation activities.

Rebecca Leppard, Director of Public Relations at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, also shared information about programs that have succeeded in minimizing energy consumption and carbon footprint at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski. One of them is the allocation of guest rooms in such a way that if the occupancy does not reach 100%, the hotel can close one floor that is entirely empty, turn off the electricity, chiller, and boiller on that floor. "We have reduced our electricity consumption by 1 million kwh in 2014 compared to 2013," she said. Rebecca also expressed her support for the Earth Hour movement and hoped that Hotel Indonesia Kempinski could return as the venue for the press conference in the coming years.

The success of Earth Hour Indonesia until the 7th time is also inseparable from the hard work and efforts of Earth Hour activist communities in various regions in Indonesia. Several representatives of Earth Hour cities who attended the activity shared stories and programs that they had done. For example, the Earth Hour Bekasi Community has two new programs this year, namely Goes to School which focuses on elementary & junior high school children, and the making of 1,000 biopore holes considering the availability of clean water is a problem that needs attention in Bekasi. There is also the Earth Hour Depok Community that regularly holds environmental classes as an educational effort.

Another way to be part of Earth Hour Indonesia 2015 is to support and make #BeliYangBaik as part of a lifestyle change movement. Beautiful models Sophia Latjuba Muller, Davina, and musician Nugie supported the movement to take care of the earth wisely and make lifestyle changes that are more environmentally friendly. Davina said that people need to know the consumer goods they use so that the negative impact on the environment can be minimized. She expects everyone to take action to recognize, find out, and understand the background of the product before using it.

This year, Earth Hour Global raises the theme "Use #YourPower to Change Climate Change". In Indonesia, the Earth Hour 2015 celebration is the 7th celebration. Through the message #IniAksiku, the activity focuses on 7 conservation issues, namely ocean and coastal, deforestation, biodiversity, waste, river and water, transportation and energy. The message was materialized in the local theme "Green the Forest, Green the Sea." 30 cities in Indonesia have committed to support Earth Hour Indonesia. The peak of the movement will be held across the archipelago on March 28, 2015 with the Switch-Off action at 20.30-21.30 local time.